Agniveers to be recruited in CAPFs on priority, says Amit Shah

New Delhi, June 15

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah today announced that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has decided to give primacy to “Agniveers”, who would complete four years under the “Agnipath” scheme in the armed forces, over others in the recruitment of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles.

• Editorial: The agnipath way

He added that a “detailed planning” and “work in this regard” have been initiated in the MHA immediately after Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the decision.

In a series of tweets in Hindi, Shah first welcomed the decision and thanked the PM, claiming that it is aimed at transforming the armed forces. “Agnipath scheme is a visionary and welcome decision by PM Modi for the bright future of youth,” he said.

With this decision of the MHA, the youth trained under the Agnipath scheme will be able to contribute in the service and security of the country even further.

The decision will also benefit the CAPFs and Assam Rifles in equal measure by helping them fill more than 73,000 vacancies. To a question in the Rajya Sabha on March 26, the MHA had said there were 73,219 vacancies in the CAPFs and Assam Rifles, including 1,969 gazetted officer posts, 23,129 subordinate officer posts and 48,121 other ranks.

Meanwhile, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today said his government would give priority to “Agniveers”.

“The double-engine government of the BJP is dedicated and committed for the uplift of the youth and secure their future,” he added.

Intake in Army to go up to 60,000 in 4 yrs

The recruitment of Agniveers will increase by 50 pc over the next four years. “In the first year, the intake into the Army will be 40,000. It is expected to go up to 60,000 in the fourth year,” the GOC-in-Chief, Western Command, Lt Gen Nav K Khanduri said. TNS